How to Help an Alcoholic
You can’t save people from themselves, but you can set your boundaries if you want to help an alcoholic.
Up next in Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (6 videos)
If you or someone you love has a drinking problem, you won't want to miss this Howcast video series on alcoholism and alcohol abuse.
You Will Need
- Research
- Recovering alcoholic friends
- A therapist
- Counseling and treatment options
- Support organization
Steps
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Step 1
Know your subject
Read all you can about alcoholism and co-dependency and talk to other alcoholics to understand the subject.
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Step 2
Confront your own problems
Solve your personal problems and know your limits. Forego any desire to rescue people.
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Accept that most alcoholics do not fully recover. Love the person; hate the disease.
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Step 3
Plan an intervention
Plan an intervention with family members but always in the presence of a therapist. The drinker must be sober.
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Step 4
Set boundaries
Set clear boundaries, stating that to protect yourselves you expect action. Be ready to follow through on any consequence you set.
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Step 5
Suggest treatment
Suggest counseling and treatment options that you have researched, all the way to providing the local Alcoholics Anonymous numbers. But do not make the call for them.
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Step 6
Be detached
Remain detached, so that you can model the behavior you expect. Let the alcoholic face their consequences and never loan them money or indulge their excuses.
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Drinking is merely a symptom of larger problems that the drinking helps bury.
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Step 7
Join support organizations
Join a support organization like Al-Anon to confront your own guilt and sense of responsibility. A supportive community strengthens you to grow healthy.
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Did you know? Over 18 million Americans struggle with alcohol abuse or dependence.
